Space science education is an area of emerging importance in the 21st Century. Missions sponsored by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and programs facilitated through the NASA Space Science Education Consortium (NSSEC) offer unique opportunities to foster learner interest in space science as well as the broader field…

Abstraction is a key concept in CS, one of the most fundamental ideas underlying CS and its practice. However, teaching this soft concept to novices is a very difficult task, as discussed by many CSE experts. This paper discusses this issue, and suggests a general framework for teaching abstraction in CS to novices, a framework that would fit into…

In this paper we report on the sustained research and development work at the AMSTEL Institute of the University of Amsterdam to improve mathematics and science education at primary and secondary school level, which has lead amongst other things to the development of the integrated computer working environment Coach 6. This environment consists of…

Appropriate educational technologies have the potential to make physics' concepts more accessible through visualization, modeling and multiple representations. Students are engaged in more powerful scientific activities and they are able to perform investigations that would not be possible without the use of technology. This paper presents…

The advancement of computer technology used for research is creating the need to change the way classes are taught in higher education. "Bringing Research Tools into the Classroom" has become a major focus of the work of the Office of Educational Innovation and Technology (OEIT) for the Dean of Undergraduate Education (DUE) at the…

Computer simulations can facilitate the building of models of natural phenomena in research, such as in the molecular life sciences. In order to introduce molecular life science students to the use of computer simulations for model building, a digital case was developed in which students build a model of a pattern formation process in…

The goals of this paper are to describe some characteristics of the pedagogical project of the "Carbopolis" software and some programming solutions that were found during the computational implementation of this software. Relative to the first goal, some pedagogical features that are considered necessary to developing computerized learning…

Discusses the results of a survey on the usage of computers in secondary schools. Indicates that the majority of use was by computer classes; more staff development is needed for teachers of non-computer classes; and there is insufficient hardware and software available for non-computer classes. (TW)

Describes some of the capabilities of the Apple Macintosh computer in constructing stereo pairs for three-dimensional viewing. Discusses various software packages which can produce the desired graphics. Provides examples of how to use these stereo images in geology, chemistry, and psychology. (TW)

Discusses the use of computer assisted instruction in the medical education program of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (Missouri). Describes the animation techniques used in a series of simulations for microbiology. (TW)

Describes the functioning of temperature transducers, or thermistors. Discusses the interface connections between thermistors and the game-port of several kinds of microcomputers. Demonstrates how to construct a thermistor probe and suggests several applications of the use of such probes in various scientific experiments. (TW)

Discusses some of the variables teachers must consider when using computer software in the science classroom. Describes eight commercially available computer programs that are designed to teach problem solving in science. Includes the producer's address, the grade level for which the program was written, and a critique. (TW)

Discusses some of the variables teachers should consider when selecting scientific word processing software. Briefly describes some of the attributes of 17 software packages that were developed to accommodate scientific formulae and chemical structures. Provides the names and addresses of the respective software producers. (TW)

Reports on a study into the effectiveness of implementing an interactive videodisc science lesson on titration into a high school science program. Describes the titration lesson and the equipment used in two chemistry classes. Results were generated from achievement and attitude instruments, along with observational data. (TW)

Describes a spreadsheet computer program which can be used with an Apple Macintosh computer to perform a multitude of calculations. Discusses two types of calculations taught in general chemistry. Demonstrates how to use the spreadsheet to calculate mass percent and the formula of a compound. (TW)